Balochistan government orders sweeping administrative reforms to improve governance and public service delivery
CS Shakeel Qadir Khan present a review report on the performance and operational status of various government departments
QUETTA, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti has announced a comprehensive restructuring and reform agenda for all government departments aimed at improving governance, ensuring efficient utilisation of public resources, and enhancing the quality of public services across the province.
Chairing a meeting of the Secretaries Committee on Wednesday, the chief minister said administrative reforms had become unavoidable to make government institutions more effective and responsive to public needs. He emphasised that the provincial government would take concrete measures to curb unnecessary expenditures and align administrative structures with the requirements of the people.
During the meeting, performance reports of various departments were presented, while a detailed review was conducted of administrative structures, workforce strength, non-development expenditures, and public service delivery mechanisms across government institutions.
Expressing concern over unnecessary recruitments and the rising burden of non-development expenditures in several departments, Bugti said every rupee collected through taxpayers’ money was a national trust and could not be allowed to go to waste. He stressed that these resources belonged to the people of Balochistan, particularly the underprivileged citizens who endured harsh living conditions and expected improved public services in return.
The chief minister noted that despite a substantial portion of provincial resources being consumed by non-development expenditures, citizens were still not receiving services of the desired standard. He said government departments must be transformed from what he described as “recruitment factories” into efficient institutions capable of fulfilling their responsibilities effectively.
Bugti said it was the government’s responsibility to create employment opportunities according to the demands of various sectors and the market, rather than increasing the financial burden through excessive and unnecessary recruitments in public institutions. He warned that departments overwhelmed by mounting non-development expenses were unable to focus adequately on service delivery, describing the situation as deeply concerning.
Underscoring the need for structural changes, the chief minister said enhancing departmental performance would require administrative reforms, more effective allocation of resources, and stronger accountability mechanisms. He maintained that governance challenges could not be addressed merely by shifting blame and urged officials to critically assess weaknesses within the system.
Speaking on governance issues, Bugti remarked that administrative shortcomings and poor governance in Balochistan should be examined through honest self-assessment rather than attributing responsibility elsewhere. He stressed the importance of focusing on institutional deficiencies and fulfilling administrative responsibilities to achieve lasting improvements.
The chief minister said difficult but necessary decisions would have to be taken to improve governance and ensure better facilities for the people of the province. He made it clear that the reform process would not shy away from tough choices, as prudent use of provincial resources and enhanced efficiency of public institutions were urgent priorities.
Bugti directed all departmental secretaries to conduct comprehensive reviews of their respective organisations, including administrative structures, human resources, expenditures, and performance indicators, and submit practical recommendations for reforms.
He also sought proposals regarding the possible merger of departments performing similar functions and the reduction of unnecessary workforce positions in order to optimise available resources and improve the quality of services provided to the public.
The chief minister reaffirmed his government’s commitment to implementing reforms aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, enforcing fiscal discipline, and placing public interest at the centre of government policy and decision-making.
Earlier, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan presented a review report on the performance and operational status of various government departments.